Residents came together Tuesday to remember those who were killed or injured on the job.
The focus locally on the annual Day of Mourning was mental health.
Sarnia and District Labour Council President Candace Young told the group gathered at the Clifford Hansen Fire Station, that the National Day of Mourning was instituted to create safer workplaces, so that people can end their working lives in dignity and health.
"Because no worker should have to sacrifice their health or their life to earn a living," said Young. "April 28 is a day of remembrance but its also a call to action. We owe it to the workers we have lost, we owe it to their families and we owe it to every worker still on the job today."
According to Statistics Canada in 2023, more than one in five Canadians reported high or very high levels of work-related stress.
The agency said 7.5 per cent of employed people took time off from their job or business because of stress or mental health reasons in the 12 months before April 2023.
Young said like there are on the job protection plans for physical injuries, there needs to be protection plans for mental and psychological injuries.
"Ways to report it that are safe and also not judgemental," she said. "Making sure that they do have those supports when they do file a claim, that something actually happens, they do get the help they need."
This year's ceremony was held at the East Street Fire Hall, where residents laid flowers in memory of family and friends they've lost.
There are plans to return to the newly refurbished Victims of Chemical Valley memorial at Sarnia's Centennial Park for next year's ceremony.
